What is Operation: Bridge the Gap?
In mid-2023, It's Great to Be Gluten-Free will launch it's first social initiative: Operation Bridge the Gap. Our goal is to connect school canteens across Australia with gluten-free food suppliers, recipe developers and allergy training providers to ensure that all gluten-free children have access to safe meal options in school. By bridging the gap in accessibility, we are committed to addressing food insecurities among a young gluten-free community.
The Problem
According to our survey of 1,217 Australian families with coeliac children in school, 55% of families said their school canteen had NO gluten-free meal options. Additionally, 34% of families reported LIMITED gluten-free options, such as an ice-block or a drink, while only 11% reported having a VARIETY of gluten-free meal options. These results are alarming, as they indicate that many gluten-free children with medically necessary dietary needs are excluded from accessing safe foods in educational settings.
How You Can Help
Every child deserves to feel included and have their medical needs met at school. With your help, we can make this a reality. As we prepare to launch Operation: Bridge the Gap, we are calling on individuals and organisations to get involved.
If you're based in Australia and belong to one of the following categories, please register with us via the form below.
- Category A: School, parent committee or childcare centre
- Category B: Gluten-free food supplier
- Category C: Recipe developer
- Category D: Allergen training provider
- Category E: None of the above but want to volunteer skills or services
Together, we can create a more inclusive and accessible future for the next generation of gluten-free kids.
Register
Please let us know which category you belong to (A, B, C, D, or E) and provide any relevant details in the message box below.
